Geochemical evidence for Alberta Oil Sands contamination in sediments remote to known oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada

Oil spills and natural oil seeps are sources of petrogenic hydrocarbons in soils sediments. To determine the source hydrocarbon contamination environment geochemical signature contaminant needs to be characterised. Here, we present biomarker other molecular marker diagnostic ratios Alberta Sands using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry characterise deposits detect their incorporation surficial Diagnostic steranes, terpanes, aromatic steroids (e.g. C27, C28, C29 regular sterane abundance, Gammacerane Index, Ts/Tm, TAS/(TAS + MAS), MPI-2) were measured samples providing a set criteria for identification. Seven sediment from central southeast then analysed these pyrogenic inputs. Geochemical signatures consistent with identified sediments Lamont County glacial moraine Beaver County. Both sites Central Alberta, ∼300 km south any sands extraction exposures northern indicating long-distance transport processes mobilised deposits. These results show that have been eroded transported beyond boundaries current known limits. This is important understanding as well remediation reclamation purposes.